Ireland is a spectacular subject for photographs. Mother Ireland can look amazing for professional and amateur photographers alike.

Many of you have journeyed to my homeland to personally witness the majesty of her scenery, and along your merry way, you’ve snapped some incredible shots of sites and sights found all around the Emerald Isle.

Today I’m delighted to introduce a new category on my blog – Photos of Ireland, highlighted in a video montage.

Here I’ll feature your photos of dear old Ireland, whether she is bathed in sunshine or shrouded in a cloak of soft mists and rain.

To start us off with our first presentation of reader photos, here is a short video created with lovely images from Barb in Boston who visited County Kerry, and John from Donegal who shares photos of Cork and Donegal.

I hope you enjoy this little video.

Barb’s photos of Cnoc na dTobar are spectacular.

Here’s a panaroma shot from the top of the mountain ….

View from Cnoc na dTobar in County Kerry – courtesly of Barb Boylan in Boston.

To mark Independence Day 2017, I have a very special song to share with you. A reader sent me the lyrics to “America Bound,” a song he wrote to honor the journey his ancestors took from Donegal to America many years ago.

New York in the morning light looks alright.

Standing in the Brooklyn breeze

the thought has crossed my mind

to see my friends and family one more time, one more time.

Hey Sheelah we’re America Bound.

We’re America Bound.

We’re America Bound.

And so, this 4th of July let’s think about those who have gone before us. Those who took the perilous journey across the ocean to reach a distant shore in search of a better life. Their sacrifices and dedication to the American dream are our inheritance.

And a big thank you to Sean for sharing his beautiful immigrant tale with us today.

Iain contacted me to share some of his amazing videos. And so I’m delighted to take you way off the beaten track to explore some of Ireland’s off shore sea stacks. In fact, we’re getting so far off the beaten track, there is no track at all.

In these short videos Iain sets sail over the foaming ocean, or takes the high road by dangling across taut ropes to reach some of Ireland’s most remote and isolated destinations.

Just like me, many readers will never venture to the top of a sea stack, but that won’t stop us watching a video of some daring thrill seekers as they take us to some of the most beautiful, remote and atmospheric locations in all of Ireland.

I do not like heights, but I felt compelled to watch these fantastically scary and totally thrilling videos. Ireland’s rugged coastline is magnificent in all her natural and unspoiled glory.

Glenlough Bay, County Donegal:

Glenlough Bay on the South West Donegal coastline is one of the most remote, beautiful and wild locations in Ireland.

In the video above, an international group of visitors climb a 60 meter high sea stack braving bouncy westerly sea currents and winds.

The Ends of the Earth Sea Stack, County Donegal:

This next film recounts a visit to Ireland’s most remote location on the western tip of the Slievetooey Massif.

Laura Hartmann and John Neary walk into the northern tip of Glenlough Bay and paddle 200 meters off the edge to The Ends of the Earth Stack.

I just love the name of this sea stack. When exploring the western tips of Donegal’s coastline, it surely does feel like you are standing at the ends of the earth.

Downpatrick Head Sea Stack, County Mayo:

This next video takes us to County Mayo. Living 80 metres off Downpatrick Head on the north coast of County Mayo is the iconic Dún Briste Sea Stack. It’s name literally means ‘broken dún.’

First landed on by helicopter in the 1980’s, this amazing sea stack was climbed once before in 1990.

In the short film above Iain Miller and Paulina Kaniszewska make a very rare ascent of Dún Briste sea stack.

The Wild Atlantic Way, Donegal, Ireland:

Many of these stacks rise above the waters of the Atlantic ocean at the bases of huge sea cliffs. Easy access routes are non existent and a comprehensive understanding of the sea and rock climbing techniques is imperative to ensure a safe ascent of any sea stack.

If you are interested in learning from the experts or joining them on an adventure, you can find out more about Iain Miller and his team on their website, Unique Ascents.

A big thank you to Iain for sharing his work with us today.

Wishing everyone, who braves the elements and the majesty of Ireland’s coastline, a safe and happy climbing season this summer.

Did you know Donegal Airport was voted one of the world’s most scenic airport landings in an annual poll of global travellers and travel industry experts conducted by PrivateFly? This is high praise indeed for a small airport etched into the coastline of Ireland’s most northerly county.

And so, I thought I would share some photos with you today, to help you appreciate the magnificent scenery travel experts are raving about when they say Carrickfin Airport is nestled in one of the most spectacular settings in the world.

“You arrive in the Emerald Isle adjacent to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Carrickfinn with a backdrop of the majestic Mount Errigal on one side and an array of craggy islands on the other. The clear turquoise blue sea is just a bonus on a sunny day.”

It’s hard to find words to describe the beauty of this county, often overlooked by overseas visitors. Many believe it is too far off the beaten track and a little out of the usual tourist way. But the folks over at Carrickfin Airport are helping to solve that dilemma.

Donegal Airport is a vital hub and rural regional connector, helping the local community sustain and develop their economies. The airport’s management team’s goals are to attract new businesses to the area and to entice overseas and Irish visitors to explore Donegal and the surrounding north westerly counties of Ireland.

And how about this wonderful shot by the same photographer, Liam Moloney? Mommy cow is just exhausted after a long day, and pays no heed to an incoming plane heading to Carrickfin. I wonder if those three calves are all hers. If so, as a mother of triplets, I empathize with her completely.

A big thank you to all the photographers who shared their work with a creative commons license allowing bloggers, like me, to use them to illustrate our writing. I truly appreciate your generosity.

I hope you all enjoyed this little aerial tour of Donegal Airport, and a big thank you to the good folks at Take Off Magazine for letting me know of the commendations and accolades received by this lovely airport on Ireland’s northwesterly coast.

Ireland’s beaches are spectacular, and one of the most stunning of all is Knockalla Strand, also known as Portsalon Beach, in County Donegal.

And so, as everyone head’s back to work on this Monday morning,I thought why not start the week off with some beautiful scenery.

Hopefully, these peaceful views of Ireland’s shoreline will set the tone for the rest of your week.

Ireland may be a small country, but as an island, she boasts a long and varied coastline. The actual length of this coastline is debatable, and any statistic for said length is totally dependent on how much detail was used when measuring.

There may always be a hidden cove not traversed or measured. However, the Ordnance Survey of Ireland estimates the total length of Ireland’s shoreline at 3171 kilometers (approx 1981 miles).

And Knockalla is no hidden cove. It is approached from an elevated cliff side road, with amazing viewing points along the way.

Donegal’s coast is festooned (I love that word) with sandy beaches, and Knockalla is probably the most breath taking of all.

This is Ireland at its best – the Ireland made famous in poetry, song, legend and film.

Knockalla lies on the western shores of Lough Swilly, with commanding views of the Inishowen peninsula across the waves.

Beaches like this are why Ireland’s coastline is described as dramatic.

When designing Ireland, God spared no extravagance.

Donegal is an untamed landscape, with three-quarters of its borders formed by the Atlantic Ocean. The sea has shaped this land.

This magnificent beach is a photographer’s paradise.

This is Ireland, at her best – a place of tranquility and great natural beauty.

Portsalon was named the second most beautiful beach in the world by “The Guardian”, or maybe it was “The Observer” newspaper.

I’m not quite sure who awarded this beach the runner-up prize in the world beach beauty pageant, but let’s face it, who cares.

Portsalon’s beauty may be much appreciated around the world, but luckily, the Donegal climate means it can be enjoyed without having to deal with crowds similar to those found on sunny Mediterranean shores.

These photos were taken on a bright, sunny day, and not a soul can be seen on the strand below…… Only in Ireland……

Even on a cold winter’s day, a run on this beach is perfect for getting rid of excess energy, and clearing the cobwebs from the brain.

And so, to start my week off on a positive note, I am imagining myself going for a leisurely stroll along a sandy beach in Donegal.

You’re welcome to join me on my mindful morning walk.

For me, the wind is blowing a soft gentle mist across my face, cleansing my spirit and strengthening me for a busy week ahead.

Stiff breezes feature in all my Irish imaginings – I wonder why?

Wishing you all a wonderful week, full of promise and accomplishments.

I hope this little tour of Knockalla Strand has stirred your Irish dreams, and lifted your spirits on this Monday morning.

Remember, ocean blues are the only Monday morning blues allowed in my little corner of the web.